Chapter 26 Get the certificate!

The next morning, before four o’clock, Xu Huaian was already awake. The thought that today he and Shi Qingqian would be getting their marriage certificate made him so excited that he couldn’t sleep. He got out of bed, changed into his military uniform, and began pacing in front of his uncle Xu Wu’s door. His light footsteps sounded unusually clear in the quiet morning.

Inside, Xu Wu and his wife Zhang Xiu were disturbed by the noise and couldn’t get any sleep. Tossing and turning, Zhang Xiu suddenly kicked Xu Wu off the bed. Xu Wu, groggy, sat on the floor rubbing his eyes, looking bewildered at Zhang Xiu.

“Go see who’s wandering around outside and stop disturbing people’s sleep!” Zhang Xiu snapped.

Xu Wu sighed, got up, slipped on his shoes, and went to the door. As soon as he opened it, he saw Xu Huaian in his military uniform, his face full of excitement. Xu Wu was startled, half awake in an instant.

“Huaian, why aren’t you sleeping this early in the morning? What are you pacing around for?”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Xu Huaian replied, “Uncle, today I’m getting my marriage certificate with Qingqian. Could you give me a written proof?”

“…” Xu Wu said irritably, “Why didn’t you mention this yesterday when you came? Now you have to come disturbing us this early.” He rubbed his sore tailbone from being kicked.

Embarrassed, Xu Huaian scratched his head. “I was too happy yesterday and completely forgot.”

Seeing his nephew’s eagerness, Xu Wu felt happy for him. “Alright, wait here. I’ll get paper and pen to write the proof for you.”

Xu Huaian obediently stood at the door, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Hearing their conversation, Zhang Xiu also lost any remaining sleep. “Huaian, you really are something, forgetting something this important.”

Xu Wu smiled. “It’s normal for a kid to be this excited. After all, he’s getting a marriage certificate with Qingqian. The girl is a bit delicate, but she’s pretty and good-natured. As long as nothing goes wrong, their life together will be fine.”

Zhang Xiu got up, tidied her messy hair, and handed Xu Wu some paper and a pen from the cabinet. “Here.”

Xu Wu took them, smiling. “You’re always so thoughtful.”

Zhang Xiu rolled her eyes. “Just hurry up and write the proof for Huaian so he stops pacing outside.”

Xu Wu nodded and sat at the table, writing the proof and stamping it with the village seal. Once he had it, Xu Huaian hurried home, where Shi Qingqian was already waiting for him. Knowing they would go to register their marriage today, Second Sister-in-law Zhang Youdi had woken early to prepare breakfast for them.

“Thank you for your effort, Second Sister-in-law,” Shi Qingqian said gratefully.

“It’s nothing,” Zhang Youdi smiled sheepishly.

After breakfast, Xu Huaian rode a bicycle, the bell ringing brightly, joyfully carrying Shi Qingqian toward the town. He pedaled with all his strength, his mood as crisp and cheerful as the sound of the bell.

When they arrived at the town’s marriage registration office, their hearts raced with excitement. Inside, wooden desks were arranged neatly, and staff were busy at work. Xu Huaian and Shi Qingqian joined the back of the line.

After waiting for half an hour, it was finally their turn. They approached the desk and handed over their documents. Seeing Xu Huaian in his military uniform, the staff immediately straightened up. Once the staff confirmed that all documents were complete, they took out two certificates that looked like awards and wrote their names on them.

Marriage certificates in the 1970s were similar to elementary school awards, the paper even rougher, but their significance was immense. The staff solemnly handed the certificates to them.

“Congratulations. From now on, you are legally married,” they said.

Xu Huaian and Shi Qingqian accepted the certificates excitedly, carefully looking at every word. Their names were written side by side, declaring that they would walk through life together.

“Thank you,” Xu Huaian said, handing out prepared wedding candies to each staff member.

Holding the certificates tightly, they left the marriage registration office full of joy. Shi Qingqian’s eyes suddenly caught the photo studio across the street. How could they not take a photo to commemorate the day? She gently tugged at Xu Huaian’s sleeve, pointing to the studio.

“Huaian, let’s take a photo. Today is the day we got our marriage certificate; we should take a photo to remember it.”

Seeing Shi Qingqian’s expectant look, Xu Huaian nodded without hesitation. Hand in hand, they crossed the street and entered the photo studio.

Though the studio sign was a bit worn, it carried a sense of nostalgic charm. Inside, the setup was simple: several backdrops, an old camera, and a relaxed uncle sitting in a rocking chair. Back then, taking a photo wasn’t as easy or cheap as decades later, and few people would spend money just for a single print.

Seeing them enter, the uncle warmly greeted them. “Are you here to take photos?”

Xu Huaian and Shi Qingqian nodded with smiles.

“What kind of photo would you like?” the uncle asked.

“A photo together,” Shi Qingqian said.

“No problem,” the uncle nodded. “Taking a photo costs 0.2 yuan. Printing a 5-inch photo is 1 yuan, 2-inch is 0.5 yuan, and 1-inch is 0.3 yuan. The photos can be picked up in a week.”

Shi Qingqian thought for a moment. “Uncle, what’s the largest size you can print?”

“The largest is 10 inches, but that’s more expensive, 3 yuan each.”

“Then one 10-inch and one 2-inch, please.”

The uncle smiled. “Alright, come and sit over here.”

They sat on the bench. Xu Huaian, in his military uniform, looked upright and handsome; Shi Qingqian, in a white dress, was beautiful and gentle. The uncle couldn’t help but admire them.

“You really are a match made in heaven,” he said. Adjusting the camera, he asked, “Ready? One, two, three!”

“Click!” The shutter captured the moment, freezing them together in that photograph.